Update
GEORGE NEWS - The murder trial following the 2018 death of 25-year old Thembalethu mother, Hlompho Mohapi (Koloi), resumed in the George Circuit High Court on Monday 8 February.
Mohapi's body was found on the Voëlklip road near Herold's Bay on 5 July 2018. She was lying on her stomach and had a gaping wound to her neck, as well as seven stab wounds to her chest.
She was allegedly lured to her death under the pretence of a job interview at George Airport. Life and funeral policies worth nearly R5-million were taken out on her name shortly before she was murdered.
The three accused, Melisizwe Monqo, Siphosihle Pamba and Phumlani Qhusheka, have been in custody since their arrest in July 2018.
The accused allegedly also attempted to kill another woman in the Eastern Cape and took out life and funeral policies on two other women's names without their knowledge.
These incidents date back as far as 2017. Nearly R30-million's worth of policies were allegedly taken out on their victims' names.
Doctor testifies
A doctor who was on duty at a hospital in King Williams Town on 22 June 2017, was the first witness to testify this week.
In her testimony, which was live-streamed, she explained how she treated a victim who was allegedly seriously assaulted by Monqo with a sharp object.
The court heard that the victim, who is a state witness, sustained a serious wound above her right eye. She also sustained an injury to her right hand and lost a lot of blood. The court heard that the wounds could have been fatal if not treated in time.
The case was set to continue on Tuesday 9 February, but the witness who was meant to testify was unavailable.
On Wednesday morning the case was postponed after witness consultations and consultations between the accused and their legal representatives. The case will resume this morning, Thursday 11 February.
Keep an eye on www.george herald.com for the latest news.
Charges
Besides being charged with Mohapi's murder, the accused face charges of conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder, fraud, robbery with aggravating circumstances and kidnapping.
At the beginning of the trial last year, Monqo pleaded guilty to 15 of the 29 charges against him. Pamba and Qhusheka pleaded not guilty to all charges, but did make certain admissions.
The case serves in front of Judge Taswell Papier while Adv Evadne Kortjé acts for the state. Adv Johan Visser (SC) represents Monqo, Adv Dawie Scholtz represents Pamba and Att Louise Luterek will be representing Qhusheka.
Previous articles:
- Mohapi murder trial resumes in High Court
- Mohapi murder trial
- Mohapi murder trial: Cellphones tell a story
- Update: Claims asessor testifies
- Pathologist testifies to brutality of Hlompho's murder
- Mohapi was brutally murdered, court hears
- Witnesses testify in Mohapi murder trial
- Mohapi murder: Pastor pleads guilty murder
- 29 charges against Mohapi murder accused
- Mohapi murder trial starts in High Court
- Mohapi murder trial 'locked down'
- Mohapi murder trial date set
- Mohapi murder: Pre-trial to continue in March
- Mohapi trial to start in 2020
- Hlompho Mohapi murder: What we know
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